Buckeye Barsrn

close up shot of a bunch of peanut butter bars topped with a chocolate ganache

These easy buckeye bars have a delicious peanut butter filling and chocolate layer on top of the bars that will delight any chocolate fans or peanut butter lover.

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Table of Contents

Buckeye Bars Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Buckeye Bars Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Why We Love This Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE
Even More Recipes You’ll Love

If you are a fan of peanut butter and chocolate, these buckeye bars will hit the spot. Peanut butter and chocolate are layered together to create a delicious, decadent treat that celebrates all things Ohio State.

Buckeye Bars Ingredients

Buckeye Bars raw ingredients that are labeled

Buckeye bars are a delectable dessert that combines creamy peanut butter, sweet cream butter, and a touch of vanilla to create a rich and nutty base.

Topped with a glossy chocolate ganache made from chocolate chips, these bars offer a contrast between sweet and savory, making them a truly indulgent treat.

You’ll need:

For The Peanut Butter Bars:

8 tablespoons of salted sweet cream butter, softened
3 cups of creamy peanut butter
2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
4 cups of powdered sugar

For The Chocolate Ganache:

1 (12-ounce) package of semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

Substitutions And Additions

PEANUT BUTTER: While the recipe calls for creamy peanut butter, you can experiment with different variations to add a twist to the bars.

Try using crunchy peanut butter for added texture or almond butter for a nutty flavor.

If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, consider using sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter as a substitute.

Keep in mind that different nut butters may have different consistencies, which can slightly affect the texture of the bars.

CHOCOLATE CHIPS: You can substitute milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips for semi-sweet chocolate chips in these peanut butter buckeye bars.

How To Make This Buckeye Bars Recipe

Let’s walk through making the peanut butter base first, followed by the rich chocolate ganache.

For The Peanut Butter Layer:

STEP ONE: Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Set it aside.

STEP TWO: Using either a stand mixer or a medium bowl and an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the softened butter for one minute until smooth.

butter beaten and softened in a bowl with a blender

STEP THREE: Add the peanut butter and vanilla. Continue mixing for one minute until smooth.

peanut butter and vanilla blended into the softened butter in a bowl

STEP FOUR: Lower the mixer speed to medium-low speed and add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing well after each cup.

Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and continue mixing until completely incorporated.

powdered sugar blended into the peanut butter mixture in a bowl

STEP FIVE: Using either a silicone spatula or an offset spatula, evenly spread the peanut butter mixture in the bottom of the prepared pan.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

You can use a piece of wax paper to smooth the peanut butter layer.

peanut butter mixture spread on the bottom of the baking dish

For The Chocolate Ganache

STEP ONE: Place chocolate chips and oil in a small microwave-safe bowl.

Heat for one minute, stir, and continue to mix in 15-second intervals until the mixture is completely smooth.

chocolate chip and oil combined in a bowl

STEP TWO: Using a silicone spatula or an offset spatula, evenly spread the chocolate mixture over the peanut butter layer.

Cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.

chocolate spread over the peanut butter layer in a baking dish

STEP THREE: Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator. Carefully slice the buckeye bars with a sharp knife into 15 (2½-inch x 3-inch) pieces.

Cover the baking dish and return the bars to the refrigerator to continue chilling for an additional 1 hour and 45 minutes.

PRO TIP:

You can let the bars chill for the full two hours before slicing, but the chocolate layer may crack and not be as pretty as pre-slicing after chilling for 15 to 20 minutes.

chilled bars sliced into pieces in a baking dish

STEP FOUR: Remove the bars from the dish with the parchment paper. Serve immediately.

PRO TIP:

You may need to carefully re-slice the bars before serving.

sliced chilled bars placed on a wooden board

How To Serve

This peanut butter dessert will most definitely satisfy any peanut butter craving.

Serve with a cup of tea or a cold glass of milk, or, for something extra special, how about a chocolate milkshake to wash these buckeye bars down?

Elevate your sundae game by crumbling buckeye bars over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Drizzle with hot fudge and sprinkle with chopped nuts

Our buckeyes candies and buckeye brownie cookies are two more amazing ways to celebrate this tasty combination of flavors.

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Storage

Whether you’re planning to make them ahead for a special occasion or have some leftovers to enjoy later, here are some tips on how to store your buckeye bars.

MAKE AHEAD: Once you’ve prepared and chilled them in the fridge, you can cover the bars tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

Store them in an airtight container to prevent moisture from affecting their texture.

Buckeye bars can be made up to three days in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.

ON THE COUNTER: Store any leftovers of this no-bake dessert in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze the bars for up to three months. Allow the bars to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Why We Love This Recipe

IRRESISTIBLE FLAVOR COMBINATION: The perfect mix of creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate ganache creates a flavor that’s both sweet and savory.

EASY TO MAKE: This recipe comes with clear and concise step-by-step instructions, making it accessible for both novice and experienced bakers.

FREEZER FRIENDLY: You can prepare these bars in advance for convenience, and they freeze well, allowing you to enjoy them over an extended period.

overhead shot of a bunch of peanut butter bars topped with a chocolate ganache

The combination of peanut butter and the layer of chocolate recreates the favorite buckeye candies in bar form. This buckeye bars treat requires very little effort and only a handful of ingredients to whip up a tasty snack packed with so much flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are these called buckeyes?

This confection is called a buckeye because the finished product, with its chocolate exterior and a layer of peanut butter, recreates the buckeye candy that resembles the nuts from the buckeye tree, which is native to Ohio.

Can I freeze these bars?

These peanut butter treats can be frozen in an airtight container for up to three months.

Can I use natural peanut butter in this recipe?

These no bake peanut butter bars are best made with regular peanut butter. The oils of natural peanut butter tend to separate and may not give you the consistency you want for this recipe.

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Buckeye Bars

5 from 79 votes

These easy buckeye bars have a delicious peanut butter filling and chocolate layer on top of the bars that will delight any chocolate fans or peanut butter lover.

Prep Time 15

Total Time 2 15

Servings slices

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Ingredients

Peanut Butter Bars

8 tablespoons salted sweet cream butter softened
3 cups creamy peanut butter
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar

Chocolate Ganache

12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

Peanut Butter Layer

Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Set it aside.
Using either a stand mixer or a medium-sized mixing bowl and a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat the softened butter for 1 minute until smooth.
Add the peanut butter and vanilla. Continue mixing for 1 minute until smooth.
Lower the mixer speed to medium-low and add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each cup. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and continue mixing until completely incorporated.
Using either a silicone spatula or an offset spatula, evenly spread the peanut butter mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Chocolate Ganache

Add the chocolate chips and oil to a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 1 minute, stir, and continue to mix in 15-second intervals until the mixture is completely smooth.
Using a silicone spatula or an offset spatula, evenly spread the chocolate over the peanut butter layer. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes.
Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator. Carefully slice the buckeye bars into 15 (2½-inch x 3-inch) pieces. Cover the baking dish and return the bars to the refrigerator to continue chilling for an additional 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Remove the bars from the dish by the parchment paper. You may need to carefully re-slice the bars. Serve immediately

Video

Notes

You can use a piece of wax paper to smooth the peanut butter layer.
You can let the bars chill for the full 2 hours before slicing, but the chocolate layer may crack and not be as pretty as pre-slicing after chilling for 15 to 20 minutes.
You may need to carefully re-slice the bars before serving.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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